Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1887-08-24
CHAPTER TX.

"
passed with very little of interest to the
outsider. At the end of this time was
well grown girl of seventeen, and though
had mixed very little in society f1attereG
myself was in a measure free from thai
awkwardness so painfully common to girls
brought up in seclusion. had during this
time heard occasionally from the Clayton's S
who still resided at Caledon, as of old
Irma Barrett was not yet married, though
she had been a reigning belle for two sea
sons. Her beauty and immense fortune
brought her hosts Of admirers, but her vain
nature would not yet allow her to be bound
by the chains of betrothal or matrimony.
Oliver Dudley was still single also, though ]
sometimes heard with a strong pang at my
heart, of his assidious attention to Irma
Barrett.
"What was it to me-" asked myself
angrily, whether he married the heiress OF
not!n
Surely he was nothing to me. Had he
not scorned the little beggarly dependant,
and did l not have cause for hating him for
such an ungrateful return for the devotion
to him 1 cherished. And did hate him, l
cried, angered at my foolish heart, that
just as often gave proof of the falseness o1
this assertion.
1t was the winter Of my seventeenth yeal
that Mrs. Kent received an urgent invita-
ton from friend in New York to visit her.
They had been old and dear friends, and
Mrs. Kent, though she did not like the
idea of a gay winter in the metropolis, yet
felt obliged to accept her friends invitation
for the sake of old times.
Having never yet caught even 6
glimpse of the gay world, it is no wonder ]
felt some delight, yet great deal OF
trepidation, at the thought Of being 6
visitor at one of the richest and most
fashionable mansions in the city. Mrs
Kent having no desire that should appear
backward or illclad, provided me with an
ample wardrobe and spent much time in
instructing me in fashionable etiquette-to
all of which / listened with closest atten.
ton, determined that if possible my kind
patron should have no cause to feel morti-
fed at my appearance.
Dear child" said Mrs. Kent. show anx-
ious you are toimprove yourself in my eyes
though" she added, ''you are good enough
and polished enough already, for you have
never caused me a moments discomfort
since you became my dear adopted daugh-
ter"
And felt that she had paid me the high
est compliment 1 could have cared to
hear
We finally found ourselves domiciled at
Mrs. Leiberg's splendid and hospitable
mansion. She, like my adopted mother,
was a widow with married sons and daugh-
ters. One son, however, resided with his
mother and his wife and their lovely chill
dren were the pride Of her heart.
We were warmly received, and /
felt at home at once with the
whole family. 1 now for the first
time enjoyed the society of young
people. felt somewhat backward at first,
but this gradually wore off, and was soon
able to chat with comparative ease with my
new acquaintances. We attended concerts,
musical soirees; we visited the art CALLER
les, the museums, we rode in the park; we
attended the theater and opera, in fact, in
dulged in all those expensive luxuries and
,cstly pleasures that only the rich can af-
ford.
We were one day driving in the park, my
self, the younger Mrs. Iceberg and the
children, when suddenly carriage passed
Us in whose occupants l recognized some
thing strangely familiar. leaned forward
to catch a closer glimpse, and as did so the
gentleman turned his head and / caught
sight of his face. could not be mistaken
the dark eyes, the soft curling hair
and shapely form were none other than
Oliver Dudley's. l knew him instantly,
and it only needed a glance at the golden
hair of the beauty beside him to ascertain
that it was Irma Barrett.
/ sank back with quick, keen pain at my
heart; my hand clutching ainlessly at my
rich sable muff, my cheeks growing
strangely pale, 1 knew, for kind Mrs
Iceberg at once enquired if were ILL.,
"Ohl no; II is nothing" 1 answered
calmly enough, wondering even at myself
i ctr olry of bx
sight OF this man, who was not, nor ever
could be, aught to me.
Invent home feeling strangely depressed
1t was probable then that the Claytons
were in the city had heard of their some
times visiting here. should be almost Ger
tain to meet them knew, and my heart beat
quickly at the thought, for / never could re
gard them in any other light than mypit
terest enemies.
Mrs. Kent met me in the parlor. ''There
is gentleman to see you in the drawing
room, Dorrie," she said. smiling. ''Strangt
how attractive Mr.. Balfour (naming the
gentleman) finds our house of late" she
added, arohly. ''And Colonel Baily called
also this morning Really, Dorrie, you are
getting to be quite belle"
/ laughed lightly at her words, and ran
up to my room to remove my wraps before
Il
angry at myself that could not feel more
than passing interest in this handsome
young Balfour, whose admiration for IN,
had been patent fact since our first meet
ing. He was rich, young, handsome-wha
more could / desire. My friends, too, al
looked upon him with favor, and / fel
guilty when / remembered how had en-
couraged his attention when felt for him
only friendship, not love, not even the ghos
of it.
There was also Colonel Baily, another, il
every way, eligible suitor; except in tn,
matter OF age, he being number Of years
my senior, though not old, by any means
he was handsome,and courtly, a very kins
among men, sons would have called him
But did not care for him, said, ,perversely
should never fall in love; men were al
alike to me, and why did they annoy me
with their attentions
Now, IL Oliver Dudley were Edgar
Balfour," 1 found myself saying, and then ]
stopped. "Dorcas Lynn" cried, mentally
in a rage with myself, ''for such foolish
thoughts am ashamed OF you; Surely you
have lost much Of your boasted pride tc
lament man you never knew, beside, one
who is engaged to another" and thus silence
ing my heart 1 went down determined to be
very kind to Mr.. Balfour in future and e
permit no thought of Oliver Dudley tc
stand between me and the duty owed Mrs
Kent, who, knew, regarded Edgar Balfour
as most eligible young man. ! think
must have succeeded very well in my at
tempt TO appear agreeable, for Mr.. Balfour
not only paid me several rather extravagan;
compliments, but several times 1 barely
avoided receiving from him a direct offer ol
his heart and hand by judiciously turning
conversation into another channel
The next day as was our custom, we drove
IN the r,arlx md again eoxv Ol;xyov Ta,,1to..